Windows 8 App Update: SkyDrive

Microsoft recently confirmed that it would be updating many of the built-in apps in Windows 8 between the release to manufacturing (RTM) of the OS and its general availability on October 26. Here’s a peek at the changes the firm just made to its Metro-style SkyDrive app.

Search within SkyDrive

If you’ve ever tried to use Windows 8’s otherwise excellent integrated search functionality with the SkyDrive app, you know that the RTM version doesn’t even allow searching. You’re presented with the following warning instead:

In the new version, however, SkyDrive finally does support search, as you’d expect.

Rename and move folders and files

Now, you can rename and move folders and files via a new Manage button in the app bar. These actions previously required you to use SkyDrive’s web interface or install and manage your storage via the SkyDrive desktop application.

View Recycle Bin

As noted about two weeks ago in Microsoft Adds Recycle Bin Feature to SkyDrive, Microsoft added way for users of the web-based version of its cloud storage service—for which the Metro-style SkyDrive app is a front-end—to recover files that were accidentally deleted. Now, through SkyDrive Options (part of Settings), you can access this Recycle Bin via a new button. Note, however, that clicking this loads the web-based version of SkyDrive in the Metro-style version of Internet Explorer.

Share integration

Updated: Ali M. told me via email that SkyDrive now supports the Share charm, so you can do things like share a photo from the Photos app to SkyDrive, instigating a file upload to the SkyDrive folder of your choice.

Here’s how it looks.

Is there more?

Have I missed anything? If you see any new features in the Metro-style SkyDrive app, please let me know and I’ll update this article.

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